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Has anyone read SHOP CLASS AS SOUL CRAFT? Much of what Matthew Crawford writes evolved from his work not just with motorcycles but other "trades." I'm an amateur mechanic but I find much of what he says very insightful as to why I feel the way I do about bikes. He ends the book admitting that he is searching for his own place in the world and I found him answering some of my own questions. Just curious what others think...?

The subtitle is "An Inquiry into the value of work." Crawford is a smart cat and it's a hard read but thought provoking. He gew up in a commune in CA, obviously on his own path; earned a Phd from U of Chicago and found himself running a think tank in Washingto DC. He returned to his passioin and roots in the speed shop and now finds greater challenges and rewards working on motorcycles. The parts that stike me as the most essential say that "REAL" knowledge comes from "REAL" things (wire, gears, the feel of the ride etc) and if you are going to judge the world fairly, you have to look at it from outside your own head. The "knowledge" economy is vastly overrated.... His descriptions of motorcycles (and other trades) and the thought behind the work suit me.

Just got back from the library, wish I'd read the post first. Sounds like an interesting read. I'm one of those guys who should have gone into a trade instead of a white collar job. When I read the book I'll report back.